Inflammation-induced interstitial migration of effector CD4+ T cells is dependent on integrin αV

Leukocytes must traverse inflamed tissues to effectively control local infection. Although motility in dense tissues seems to be integrin independent and based on actomyosin-mediated protrusion and contraction, during inflammation, changes to the extracellular matrix (ECM) may necessitate distinct motility requirements. Indeed, we found that the interstitial motility of T cells was critically dependent on Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD)-binding integrins in the inflamed dermis. Inflammation-induced deposition of fibronectin was functionally linked to higher expression of integrin alpha(V) on effector CD4(+) T cells. By intravital multiphoton imaging, we found that the motility of CD4(+) T cells was dependent on alpha(V) expression. Selective blockade or knockdown of alpha(V) arrested T helper type 1 (T(H)1) cells in the inflamed tissue and attenuated local effector function. Our data demonstrate context-dependent specificity of lymphocyte movement in inflamed tissues that is essential for protective immunity.